Sophia Loren As Francesca Gioberti

Many years ago I remember reading that Sophia Loren was originally considered for the role of Francesca Gioberti but producers were unable to reach an agreement with her to join the cast. How do you think Ms Loren would have been in the role?

I'm sure the part would have been written differently for a different actress but I find it hard to imagine Sophia doing the tarantella, which was one of the most memorable scenes from that season. I think Sophia would have been more business like and serious and perhaps more menacing to Angela and her empire than Gina was.

'TPTB' of DYNASTY also wanted Sophia to join their cast. Had the popular Hollywood icon got the money to play Angela's estranged sister we could have got into another 'behind the scenes' Lana Turner like scenario. Despite this it would have been nice to see her in the role. I could not have envisaged the tarantella featuring either. Sophia's Francesca might have been more involved with Gustav Riebmann a.k.a. Jean Louis de Bercy.

The Gioberti family vineyards in Italy are infested with 'Black Rot'. These are the same vineyards Angela's grandfather Giuseppe took vines from in the late 1800s, to start up Falcon Crest. Newcomer Francesca the rightful 1/3 owner of Falcon Crest arrives in California, to get the money she needs to eradicate the disease. There is an informal meeting happening in the living room of the mansion, between Angela and her new found sister. A party happens later which gives the Italian sister a chance to meet other interested vintners, (a scene from season 4, 1984 - '85):

Francesca: "I need money to save our vineyards in Italy."

Angela eyes up the opportunity: "Well why don't you sell your share of the estate back to me? Then you would have the money you need and I would have my land."

Francesca: "Your lawyer Reardon can he handle the necessary papers?"

Angela: "Of course, we will talk to him together."

Chao-Li joins their company; providing them with vintage Pinot Noir, before he takes the sisters to the party.

Sophia as Francesca would have been interesting. There probably would have to be an office in the winery, just for Francesca though. What would Angie have thought? We might have even heard some of Sophia's memorable quotes adjusted for Falcon Crest.

Sophia as Francesca would have been interesting. There probably would have to be an office in the winery, just for Francesca though. What would Angie have thought? We might have even heard some of Sophia's memorable quotes adjusted for Falcon Crest.

Terri was gunning for Richard at this point and Angela said "wait and see what I have in store for him." What Angela was referring to was his pockets, rather than anything possibly terminal. Owing to Sarah Douglas being written out it made sense that her character Pamela was the culprit. This was even with the hullabaloo the next season, as to 'Who Done It?'

Richard and Pamela are waiting for the other Falcon Crest partners, at the Tuscany Vintners' Associate Winery. Chao-Li arrives with Angela, in the black Mercedes limo. The father and son champagne producers Chase and Cole drive into the yard, in their pick up truck, (a scene from season 4, 1984 - '85):

Richard opens the limo door for Angela and says, "good morning, I appreciate your promptness. I want to welcome you all to this special meeting, of the Falcon Crest board of directors."

Angela: "Do you mean to tell me I was summoned all the way out here, so I could be put on display?"

Chase: "We all have that Angela. Didn't you read Richard's press release? He is transporting his bulk wine; to some warehouse, for ageing and bottling."

Cole: "Sounds exciting!"

Richard: "It is to me."

Chase: "Tell me something. What is the ageing period on this swill of yours; a week, ten days?"

Pamela laughs and Angela cracks a smile.

Richard: "If you think you can offend me Chase you're wrong. You should be grateful to me. All of you should be. Here I thought I was going to have to build a brand new winery. Now I'm in business, with rented and leased equipment."

Pamela: "Which means a very small cash outlay, for the Falcon Crest partners."

Angela: "I will not be grateful as long as Falcon Crest is involved in a rent a winery."

Richard goes to the others, with the intention of getting a group photo. The photographer takes one photo.

Angela gets angry with the photographer and then says, "will you stop that! Now let's get on with it."

Richard gives the signal to his henchmen to let the the wine tanker go. The garage doors open and the vintage starts, "let the ceremony begin", he states.